Point of sale device for the collection of sales data

Abstract

A self-contained intelligent point of sale device for the collection of sales data on presentation of a valid identification card, the device comprising a microprocessor having a memory and a buffer, a keyboard for entering information concerning one or more transactions into the buffer, a recording unit interfaced with the microprocessor and a reader interfaced with the microprocessor for reading and checking the identification card against the memory whereby when the memory recognizes a valid identification card, the information concerning the transaction or transactions entered into the buffer is transferred to and recorded in the recording unit together with particulars from the identification card.

We claim: 
     
       1. A self-contained intelligent point of sale device for the collection of sales data on presentation of a valid identification card, said device comprising a miroprocessor having a memory and a buffer, a keyboard for entering information concerning one or more transactions into the buffer, a read/write store interfaced with the microprocessor, said read/write store being operable in a read mode for entering into the memory data enabling recognition of the valid card and operable in a write mode for receiving and storing data, and a reader interfaced with a microprocessor for reading data from the identification card, said microprocessor comparing data from the identification card against the data stored in the memory for verifying a valid identification card, the information concerning the transaction entered into the buffer being transferred to and stored in the recording unit read/write store together with data from the identification card upon the verification of a valid identification card. 
     
     
       2. A device as claimed in claim 1 which incorporates a display connected to the keyboard to display the entered transaction data. 
     
     
       3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the microprocessor incorporates two buffers, one functioning as a temporary transaction buffer and the other as a write buffer to temporarily hold data prior to transmission to the read/write store. 
     
     
       4. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the read/write store comprises a recording unit having play back and recording facilities. 
     
     
       5. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the write mode of the read/write store comprises at least one electronic memory chip. 
     
     
       6. A device as claimed in claim 2 including a printing unit for printing a hard or paper copy receipt setting out the entered information and the data read from the identification card. 
     
     
       7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microprocessor incorporates two buffers, one functioning as a temporary transaction buffer and the other as a write buffer to temporarily hold data prior to transmission to the read/write store. 
     
     
       8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the read/write store comprises a recording unit having play back and recording facilities. 
     
     
       9. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the write mode of the read/write store comprises at least one electronic memory chip. 
     
     
       10. A device as claimed in claim 7 including a printing unit for printing a hard or paper copy receipt setting out the entered information and the data read from the identification card. 
     
     
       11. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the read/write store comprises a recording unit having play back and recording facilities. 
     
     
       12. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the write mode of the read/write store comprises at least one electronic memory chip. 
     
     
       13. A device as claimed in claim 1 including a printing unit for printing a hard or paper copy receipt setting out the entered information and other details of the transaction and the data read from the identification card. 
     
     
       14. A device as claimed in claim 13 including a second printing unit for producing a journal roll setting out the entered information and the data read from the identification card.